As mentioned in my
previous blog posts I need to consider the time frame in order to allocate the
amount of work to be produced. Due to this factor the features incorporated
into the actual working model will be minimal although I will try my best to
include as many as possible.
In my previous blogs I have mentioned various features I would like to include within my project, I have listed them here so you can see the overall multimodal input methods I would like to use:
Image input (scanner)
Drawing/handwriting input
Voice Memo
From
the further research I have carried out there are various areas that appeal to
me, with the ability to use the track-pad on a Mac to handwrite
allows me to explore future plans for this project. It would be beneficial to
enhance the capabilities onto a laptop for those users who have multiple
technological devices although I will not consider implementing this due to
my time frame but it is definitely on my to do list in future. The
capabilities that Google provide for the implementation of handwriting will
continue to grow; this is a positive aspect for my potential project,
as I know I will be able to enhance it further. My aim for this project is to
be able to have a decent application with the ability to compete with others
hence why I researched current trends and the functionality of Google Play.
With Google Play as time passes and my project progresses this app could
update my customers apps with any new features I have added. It gives me the
potential to grow without needing to redo a whole piece of software.
The research process for this project will continue all throughout until the final product is complete. Therefore I have listed some tasks that I will need to complete from now until the final hand in:
Research into various forms of studio set up (to be able to incorporate a multitude of functions needed)
Action Script code
Paper Prototypes
User Testing on design
User Testing on colour schemes
User Testing of the actual device
My Overall Aim
The project I aim to
produce is a multimodal application for lighting within a studio, the purpose
is so that it's users can plan, capture or save a form of lighting for a
project with notes for reference. Here the various forms of input will help users
choose their preferences of how they would like to capture their
information. The main interface will consist of a plain screen with various
icons to choose from, these icons represent the equipment within a
studio. With the variety of input methods I will provide the user will be able
to choose preferences and forms of input which are convenient for
them therefore in a way allowing them to customize it slightly.
The
next step of this project is to start building and continue researching; all
the progress will be recorded on this blog.
During the tutorial one area of research suggested was Google Play Services where they offer
Automatic updates (sent by an APK making it much faster and efficient) any Google app or those from Google Play
Access Google features
Location Services
Overall enhances the experience the user has already been given by working more efficiently
Within this implementation Google allow its clients to access their
services linked with android.
Mobile Doc Scanner
Looking into a scanner
app will be useful as it is another form of multimodal implementation used for
input. Here is where I came across the Mobile Doc Scanner on Google Play. The
scanner is available for Android devices and as you may have figured it allows
users to scan documents, images etc. It then provides them with the function to
convert the file into another file format (PDF) making it capable for users to share
and export using the cloud storage and social networking websites. A
practically feature within this app is that it is capable of detecting areas
that need to be edited such as poor image quality or slanted shot the app is
able to fix this to a point where the document looks acceptable. Looking
at the reviews the app seems to be a common feature in
many Android users and ranked high on the rating list making it a
must need.
The images
below are examples of the functionality of the app and its capabilities. As you
can see the designer has also used a neutral effect for the interface itself in
order for a more effective input of colour by the user.
The app itself
is very useful and effective, not only can you scan and save but also adjust
the scanned images just in case there was some movement or the image is titled
etc. It would be a useful and handy tool to apply it to my project as the users
could scan another document and add it to their files of data without the need
to retype the whole document.
Flash Settings
As I am using Flash CS6 I need to look into the programs capabilities
and what I will be able to do with it. Adobe's Flash and Flash Builder use the
runtime tool to provide me with the ability of building, testing and running my
application. Within this software it is unnecessary to produce separate
applications for various mobile platforms (Android and iOS) as Flash provides
me with these features. This is a huge benefit for my project as I will not
need to create separate code for each of them hence saving me time and the potential
to focus on other features. One slight issue within this program is that
creating a camera input section is not fully supported therefore I will need to
find a way round it or use an existing open source code. If I am not able
to reach this far I could always implement the function to import images
therefore the user can take a normal picture and then upload onto the program.
Another issue with Flash that I need to work round is the ability to share
files with other application as it is not supported. I will need to research if
there is a way round that problem but this will come at a later stage as there
are other important features to be dealt with.
YouTube Tutorials
Since I am a visual learning I decided to look at tutorials on how to create apps on YouTube in order to not only learn about the program but also how to set up everything. Within these videos I was most aware on how to set up for android and iOS as they are my target. Below are 3 YouTube tutorials I found which give me a guideline on how to create a drawing function.
Privacy Factors Privacy is an important factor within this project due to several reasons, the main one is the ability to share information onto other programs especially images (anything that exposes people needs some form of privacy). As I mentioned earlier Adobe Flash does not support the ability to share information with other programs therefore this section will be researched at a later stage of the project, the main thing is to be able to acknowledge the fact that it is needed. Target Audience Since my project consists of being able to construct studio lighting diagrams and gather notes on lighting effects my target audience will be media users. I have listed below areas of expertise where the project targets:
Film makers
Photographers
Animators
Apart from the ones mentioned the application can be applied to anyone that has an interest in using a studio for projects whether it is a job or a hobby.
Handwriting Input
As I was
looking through further software regarding touch sense I came across an article
called "Keyboard fatigue?” The article talks about Google's latest
handwriting input into its applications especially Gmail. The purpose of
this software is to provide users with the ability to enter text manually
without the need to use the keyboard; this includes uncommon languages that are
not known within the system. Forms of slang or changing from one language to
another in mid-sentence are now an easier function using this tool. The
input method can be done in two ways either using the mouse or track pad,
personally I feel that the track pad gives it a more natural feel to the user
but it is all down to personal preferences. Users also have
the ability to use a stylus pen or their finger therefore avoiding any
further or unnecessary purchases of hardware. Activation of this function
is required through the languages menu within the system, as the program
does not automatically allow the user to handwrite. Following this coming
Tuesday the function Google Docs will support and recognize 20 languages
although Gmail will have a larger amount consisting of 50 languages including
some unfamiliar and uncommon scripts. Although this is new to various programs
it is actually already functioning on Google’s mobile search engine since last
year therefore it seems to be merely an addition to other areas of their
software.
The image below
is an example of a user implementing a foreign script using the track pad as
you can see the letters are then displayed on screen.
FreeNote 7.9.8
I
came across Free Note where the ability to directly handwrite and draw is
functional.
•User has a choice of
using their handwriting or the keyboard as a method of input
•Ability to paint
pictures, record voice memos, take picture and video
•Calendar to add reminders
with alarms (keep a diary)
Out
of all notepad apps I feel that this is the one that reflects on what I want to
produce the most interns of the multimodal feature. Although in terms of the studio section of my project I will use the Lighting Studio app as a guideline.
Source
STOIK Soft. 2013. Mobile Doc Scanner (MDScan). [online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stoik.mdscan&hl=en [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013]. STOIK Soft. 2013. Mobile Doc Scanner (MDScan). [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stoik.mdscan&hl=en [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013]. STOIK Soft. 2013. Mobile Doc Scanner (MDScan). [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stoik.mdscan&hl=en [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013]. STOIK Soft. 2013. Mobile Doc Scanner (MDScan). [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stoik.mdscan&hl=en [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013].
The Register. 2013. Keyboard fatigue? Now you can SCRAWL in Gmail and Google Docs. [online] Available at: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/10/22/handwriting_support_in_gmail_and_google_docs/ [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013].
flyable. 2013. FreeNote 7.9.8. [online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.suishouxie.freenote&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013]. flyable. 2013. FreeNote 7.9.8. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.suishouxie.freenote&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013]. flyable. 2013. FreeNote 7.9.8. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.suishouxie.freenote&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013]. flyable. 2013. FreeNote 7.9.8. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.suishouxie.freenote&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013]. flyable. 2013. FreeNote 7.9.8. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.suishouxie.freenote&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013].
Unknown. n.d. Apple - Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6) supports Chinese handwriting. Do I still need Finger?. [image online] Available at: http://thisfinger.com/support/snow-leopard-mac-os-x-106-supports-chinese-handwriting-do-i-still-need-finger [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013].
Developers. n.d. Google Play Services. [online] Available at: http://developer.android.com/google/play-services/index.html [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013].
Hamblen, M. 2011. Adobe launches Flex and Flash Builder software for cross-platform mobile apps. [online] Available at: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215664/Adobe_launches_Flex_and_Flash_Builder_software_for_cross_platform_mobile_apps [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013].
DiabloKiller124. 2009. Flash CS3 Tutorial 9 - Drawing Application. [video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1vNEZbfN4w [Accessed: 25 Oct 2013].
DiabloKiller124·. 2009. Flash CS3 Tutorial 9 - Drawing Application [ PART 2 ]. [video online] Available at: DiabloKiller124 [Accessed: 25 Oct 2013].
DiabloKiller124·. 2009. Flash CS4 Tutorial 9 - Drawing Application [ PART 3 ]. [image online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9STiRANgmEA [Accessed: 25 Oct 2013].
Google Inc. 2013. Google Play services. [online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 28 Oct 2013]. Google Inc. 2013. Google Play services. [image online] Available at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms&hl=en_GB [Accessed: 28 Oct 2013].
